Dr. George E. Yee, celebrated physician and philanthropist, grew up in one of Winnipeg's poorest neighbourhoods but overcame poverty to graduate from the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Medicine in 1960. Yee vowed to give back to his alma mater if he were ever able to do so. Upon graduating he worked at the Winnipeg General Hospital and then in various hospitals, often as their chief pathologist. Today he is the CEO and Laboratory Director of Medical Laboratories of Windsor, Ontario, the busiest in Canada. He has underwritten the University of Manitoba Class of 1960 Entrance Scholarship in Medicine, and in 2008 provided a $2.5 million gift to establish the George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, a place that fosters interdisciplinary research and collaboration that will result in new ways to improve patient care and safety.

Faculty of Medicine Convocation, Thursday, May 10, 2012, 10:30 am

Lloyd Robertson is recognized as one of the most trusted journalists in Canada. With 35 years at the helm of the CTV National News, he became one of longest-serving national news anchors in TV history, longer than both Dan Rather and Walter Cronkite. For over 60 years he reported to Canadians on events that mattered, covering the election of nearly half of Canada's Prime Ministers, and the death of four of them. He was there when the Berlin Wall rose, and he reported back to us when it fell. He covered the Moon landing and the Gulf War. He retired in 2011, a few years after being inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and the recipient of two Gemini Awards.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012, 9:30 am

Tannis Richardson is a dedicated philanthropist and volunteer who has made a difference in countless lives. A graduate of the University of Manitoba, she joined the Winnipeg Art Gallery in 1950 as a member of the Women's Committee and then the Volunteer Committee. Over the years she has helped the WAG raise funds for numerous projects and in light of her exceptional service she became one of the first members of the Advisory Council of the Volunteer Associates of the WAG, a position normally confined to past WAG presidents and board members. She is also a long-time benefactor and leader of the Health Sciences Centre Foundation and in 1991 was the first recipient of the Foundation's Laureate of Excellence Award. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and was honored with the One Step Closer Award from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012, 3:00 pm

Sir Gordon Ying Sheung Wu is a visionary philanthropist, dedicated to innovation and excellence. He was one of the first international students to come to Canada from Hong Kong, attending the University of Manitoba in 1953. Sir Gordon's father foresaw the expansion of automotive transportation in China and launched Hong Kong's first taxi service. Upon returning home, Sir Gordon helped expand the family's business to include other businesses and eventually led to creating the Hopewell Group. He anticipated the importance of infrastructure development within China and played a key role in building bridges, superhighways and power stations in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Indonesia. Today, Sir Gordon has not stopped trailblazing, dedicating his engineering skills to designing and building wind-powered turbines to help China tap clean energy. He has given generously to the University of Manitoba, supporting the construction of the Engineering Information and Technology Complex.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 9:30 am

Robert Brennan retired from Manitoba Hydro in 2011 as its longest serving president and CEO. During his tenure he transformed the Crown Corporation into a modern, customer-driven electric and gas utility that has invested in Manitoba and supported numerous research projects at the University of Manitoba. Under his visionary leadership, Manitoba Hydro built more dams and utilized the engineering prowess of University of Manitoba faculty members to explore alternative energy resources and to design new power grids and production methods. Brennan's leadership also helped Manitoba Hydro establish profit-sharing deals with Northern Aboriginal communities. He is currently chairman of the Riverview Health Centre Foundation, director and treasurer of Hospice and Palliative Care Manitoba, and past co-chair of the YMCA/YWCA.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 3:00 pm

Douglas Cardinal is one of Canada's premier architects. Born in Alberta of Métis and Blackfoot heritage, Douglas Cardinal created an Indigenous style of architecture marked by smooth organic lines and influenced by his Canadian and Aboriginal heritage. His design process involves a strong community-oriented philosophy, in which he involves Elders and community leaders to influence his design's conceptual development. One of his most famous works is the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec, which brought him numerous awards, including the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts in 2001. He also created Thunderbird House here in Winnipeg. In 1990 he was awarded the Order of Canada; in 2003 he was elected a Member of the Royal Society of Canada.

Thursday, May 31, 2012, 9:30 am

Sister M. Cyril Mooney left Ireland for India in 1956 and completed her PhD in zoology at the University of Lucknow. In 1979 she was named principal of Loreto Day School in Kolkata and soon began to revolutionize the Indian school system as a champion of the poor and disenfranchised, committed to education and challenging the caste system. Sr. Cyril belongs to the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto). Recognized as an education innovator, in 1994 Sr. Cyril received UNESCO's NOMA Award for spreading literacy. In 2007, the President of India honored her with the Padma Shri Award, the Government of India's fourth-highest civilian honor; Mother Teresa is the only other foreign-born recipient.

Thursday, May 31, 2012, 3:00 pm